Electric Vehicles

CARB Approves THINK City Vehicle

December 14, 2010
• by Staff

DEARBORN, MI - The California Air Resources Board has approved the THINK City as a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV), according to the manufacturer. The approval paves the way for THINK to sell the all-electric THINK City in California, 12 other states, and the District of Columbia that have adopted California's ZEV requirements.

"CARB certification is critical for fleet sales, not just in California, but in the other CARB states as well," said THINK spokesperson Brendan Prebo. "These states make up more than 35 percent of the automobile market in the U.S. and represent a significant share of the fleet market."

Designed for fleet applications and urban commuters, the THINK City is durable, highly maneuverable, and fun to drive, according to the automaker. The THINK City has a range of 100 miles, which meets CARB's Type II ZEV Tier requirements, and uses an advanced lithium-ion battery developed by Ener1.

THINK is expecting to begin delivery of vehicles to fleet customers soon. THINK plans to roll out retail distribution in select cities in the second half of 2011. The retail distribution timeline coincides with the company's plans to expand production at its Elkhart, Ind. manufacturing facility. The company also builds the THINK City in Finland for sale in Europe, where the car has been highway-certified since 1999.

THINK has been a dedicated electric vehicle manufacturer for more than 20 years, with nearly 10,000 electric vehicles on the road and more than 35 million miles (56 million kilometers) of customer experience. The THINK City, the first EV to be granted pan-European regulatory safety approval, is sold across Europe, with sales and production in the US and operations being developed in Asia.

THINK is also a leader in electric drive-system technology, and was the first to offer a modular and flexible EV drive-train solution in the business-to-business sector.

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